August 21, 2007 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)
Page Content:
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Communication Items
5. Presentations
6. Reports
7. Report from the Accessibility Planning Coordinators
8. Report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair and Members
9. Other Business
10. Next Meeting
11. Adjournment

 

JOINT PEEL-CALEDON

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AAC)


MINUTES


AAC-2007-7

 

The Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee met on August 21, 2007 at 1:04 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Region of Peel Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton.

Members Present: H. Bajwa; G. Barnes; W. Goursky; N. Husain; S. McFadden; R. Paterak
Members Absent: S. Hames, due to other municipal business; J. Hardman, due to vacation; E. Kolb, due to other municipal business; J. Spry, due to illness; M. Tymkow, due to a personal matter
Also Present:

C. Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon; R. K. Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor; A. Macintyre, Acting Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk’s; M. Langham, Program Analyst, Social Services; M. Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist; J. Payne, Committee Clerk

_____________________________________
*See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

William Goursky, Chair, presided.

 

1. CALL TO ORDER

William Goursky, Chair of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. and welcomed everyone present.

 

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

RECOMMENDATION AAC-18-2007:

That the minutes of the June 12, 2007 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved.


3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION AAC-19-2007:

That an item be added under Other Business as Item 9a regarding the Committee Membership of Councillor Paterak;

And further, that an item be added under Other Business as Item 9b regarding an Update on the “Initial Proposed Accessible Transportation Standards”;

And further, that the agenda for the August 21, 2007 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved, as amended.


Other Business - Item 9a was dealt with.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Motion regarding Membership of Councillor Richard Paterak

Jeff Payne, Committee Clerk, Legislative Services, Region of Peel advised the AAC Members that Councillor Paterak had been absent from three consecutive regularly scheduled AAC meetings as a result of unavoidable scheduling conflicts involving Town of Caledon Council meetings.

Members of the Committee considered and voted upon the following recommendation, which was supported unanimously:

RECOMMENDATION AAC-20-2007:

Whereas Section VIII-1(d) of the Region of Peel Procedural By-law 57-2006 stipulates that a seat of a member of an ad hoc committee, advisory committee, and subcommittee is terminated if the member is absent for three successive regular meetings of the committee without authorization from the Committee Chair;

And whereas, Councillor Paterak has been absent from three successive meetings of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee;

Therefore be it resolved, that the three absences of Councillor Paterak be excused and his membership on the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) be maintained.

 


4. COMMUNICATION ITEMS

a. Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation, Letter dated June 5, 2007, Regarding the Misuse of Accessible Parking Permits

Received

b. Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Letter dated June 22, 2007, Responding to a Letter from Chair Kolb Regarding the Government of Canada’s Commitment to an Accessible Society for All (Resolution 2007-598)

Received

c. Ministry of Community and Social Services, dated July 17, 2007, Providing a Public Sector Accessibility Update

Received

d. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division of Social Policy and Development, United Nations, Announcing that the Theme for International Day of Disabled Persons, Celebrated on 3 December, 2007, will be “Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities”

Received

See also Report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair and Members – Item 8b

e. Ministry of Community and Social Services, dated July 23, 2007, titled “Disability Doesn’t Mean Invisibility!”

Received

f. Ministry of Community and Social Services, Providing a Summary Introducing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

Received

g. Toronto Star, Article dated July 27, 2007, titled “Bus stops here for TTC”, Regarding the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal Ruling Requiring the Announcement of Bus and Streetcar Stops

Received

h. Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Emergency Management Ontario, Providing an Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs

Received

See also Presentations – Item 5a

 

5. PRESENTATIONS

a. Tim Lindsay, Coordinator, Region of Peel Emergency Program (PREP), Region of Peel, Regarding Emergency Planning for Persons with Disabilities

Received

Tim Lindsay, Coordinator, Regional Emergency Management, Region of Peel provided a high level overview of the Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) “Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities and Special Needs”. The importance of being prepared in the event of an emergency was stressed and members of the Committee were advised that the Region of Peel Emergency Management Program (PREP) recommends having seven days of emergency supplies, including medication, on hand at all times. Currently the Province of Ontario only recommends three days (72 hours) worth of supplies are required. Tim Lindsay described how recent disasters have demonstrated that three days may not be adequate, should persons be required to “shelter in place”. Persons are also encouraged to update emergency supplies every six months to ensure the supplies are replenished, medications are correct and contact information/personal emergency plans remain current.

Further information regarding personal emergency preparedness is available on the Region of Peel website at peelregion.ca/prep.

William Goursky, Chair of the AAC, suggested that seeking partnerships with public sector corporations, such as a major national drug store chain, might provide additional funding sources that would allow for broader dissemination of information regarding emergency preparedness.

R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor, Region of Peel, responded that in the current Region of Peel Strategic Plan, emergency preparedness has been identified as a priority and consideration will be given to increasing the resources available to this program area during the 2008 Regional Budget process. He also noted that the suggestion of partnership between the public and private sectors is one of the options being considered to increase the very important educational component of the Peel Region Emergency Program.

See also Communications – Item 4h


b.
Sylvia Smith, Manager of Development, Planning and Development; Wendy Rowland, Business Manager, Fitness and Lifestyle Facilities and Services, Recreation and Property Services; Bill Davis, Manager, Property Services and Garth Young, Business Manager, Arenas and Pools, Recreation and Property Services, Town of Caledon, Regarding Renovations to the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness and All Caledon Arenas

Received

Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon, introduced the members of Town of Caledon staff present to the Committee. She noted that the projects to be discussed were in various stages from planning to near completion. It was acknowledged that there was an oversight in the Town Site Plan approval process in that two of the projects had not come before the AAC for review. Colleen Grant noted that Town staff will work to ensure that such an oversight does not occur again.

Sylvia Smith, Manager of Development, Planning and Development noted that the three arena projects (the Mayfield Recreation Complex, the Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena and the Albion - Bolton Community Centre) were classified as renovations, and as such they did not require Town of Caledon Site Plan approval.

Sylvia Smith stated that the remaining two projects (the Caledon Community Complex and the Caledon Centre for Recreation & Wellness) had obtained Town of Caledon Site Plan approval and construction was currently in progress.

Town of Caledon staff proceeded to review each of the projects and to describe the renovations with particular attention to the accessibility features incorporated.

Councillor McFadden inquired if Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles had been applied to the three Town of Caledon facility entrance renovation projects. Garth Young, Business Manager, Arenas and Pools, Recreation and Property Services, Town of Caledon, responded that the three entrance renovation projects had not undergone a CPTED assessment. Councillor Paterak requested that Town of Caledon staff review the proposed ramp at the Mayfield Recreation Complex, with particular attention to the side wall material of the ramp, utilizing CPTED principles.

Councillor Paterak advised the Committee members that the accessibility challenges faced at the Caledon Community Complex were resolved by changing the grading around the existing facility, as opposed to costly structural renovations.

Naz Husain requested that a tour of the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness be arranged for members of the Committee once the current construction at the facility is completed. Wendy Rowland, Business Manager, Fitness and Lifestyle Facilities and Services, Recreation and Property Services undertook to arrange the tour once the project is completed. Councillor Paterak requested that background information on the facility be provided to the members of the Committee in advance of the tour.

William Goursky sought clarification from Town of Caledon staff as to whether site plan approval was being sought from the Committee in light of the fact the Town had already given approval for the projects. Sylvia Smith clarified that only the Caledon Community Complex and the Caledon Centre for Recreation & Wellness required planning approval. Bill Davis, Manager, Property Services Town of Caledon indicated that feedback from the Committee on the three renovation projects not subject to site plan approval would be appreciated.

The Committee considered and voted upon the following recommendation, which was supported unanimously:

RECOMMENDATION AAC-21-2007:

That the overview provided to the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) on August 21, 2007 by Town of Caledon staff regarding the plans for the following projects:

1. Mayfield Recreation Complex;
2.
Albion - Bolton Community Centre; and
3.
Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena, be received;

And further, that notification of the support of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee for the afore-mentioned projects, as presented, be provided to the Town of Caledon, Planning and Development department.


c. Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel, Regarding the 2007 Region of Peel Annual Accessibility Plan (Oral)

Received

Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel provided a status report regarding the 2007 Annual Region of Peel Accessibility Plan. She noted that the Plan is in the final stages of being drafted. She stated that feedback on the proposed plan from the Accessibility Steering Committee, the Executive Management Team (EMT) and the Accessibility Advisory Committee would be sought prior to presenting to Regional Council in October 2007.

STAFF DIRECTION AAC-07-2007-1

Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel was requested to provide Naz Husain with an electronic copy of the prioritized accessibility projects list for the Region of Peel.

 

6. REPORTS - Nil


7. REPORT FROM THE ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING COORDINATORS

a. Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon (Oral)

Received


b. Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel

Received

 

Other Business - Item 9b was dealt with.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

b. Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel, Providing an Update Regarding the Initial Proposed Accessible Transportation Standards (Oral)

Received

Group discussion occurred regarding the information available on the Initial Proposed Accessible Transportation Standards. Members expressed that some of the material distributed by the Province and by accessibility advocacy groups is very technical. R. Kent Gillespie suggested that a copy of the report to Regional Council and to the Councils of the City of Brampton and City of Mississauga regarding the proposed transportation standards be circulated to the members to assist with the review process.

STAFF DIRECTION AAC-07-2007-2:

Jeff Payne, Committee Clerk, was requested to distribute to the members of the Committee copies of the report prepared for Regional Council and the reports prepared for the Councils of the City of Brampton and City of Mississauga regarding the Initial Proposed Accessible Transportation Standards.

Concerns about the time constraints created by the August 31, 2007 provincial response deadline were expressed by the members, noting that a longer period of time to allow adequate response would be beneficial. Meenu Sikand responded that this was a concern brought to the attention of the Province during the stakeholder session on the proposed standards.

STAFF DIRECTION AAC-07-2007-3:

Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel was requested to provide the members of the Committee with a link to the Accessibility Directorate Website where feedback regarding the proposed standards can be submitted.


8. REPORT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR AND MEMBERS

a. William Goursky, Chair, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Providing an Update from the Site Plan Training Session (Oral)

Received

William Goursky, Chair, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), indicated that the site plan training session provided by Region of Peel staff was very successful, and he thanked them for their efforts.

Key outcomes from the training session were summarized as follows:


b. William Goursky, Chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee and Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel, Regarding the 2007 International Day of Disabled Persons (Oral)

Received

Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel, noted that preliminary work was underway to determine a sponsor department at the Region of Peel for the 2007 International Day of Disabled Persons (IDDP). R. Kent Gillespie noted that staff is proposing through the 2008 Regional Budget process that funding for events like the IDDP be set aside within the Accessibility Planning Program Budget. The benefit of this approach will be to allow for funding stability and better long tem planning for accessibility related events.

William Goursky advised Meenu Sikand that the members of the Committee are available to assist with the planning and organization of the IDDP event as required.

Naz Husain suggested that the 2007 IDDP event be a more modest effort given the success of the much larger event undertaken to mark the 2006 IDDP. She added that since the international theme will be related to employment, the target audience could be internal employees.

See also Communications – Item 4d


9. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Motion regarding Membership of Councillor Richard Paterak, Town of Caledon

This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting.

b. Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel, Providing an Update Regarding the Initial Proposed Accessible Transportation Standards (Oral)

This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting.

 

10. NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, September 18, 2007
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Region of Peel Administrative Headquarters
Council Chamber, 5th floor
10 Peel Centre Drive
Brampton, Ontario

Immediately followed by a Presentation and a Delegation Checklist Development Session, from 2:00 p.m.3:00 p.m., all AAC members are requested to attend.


11. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.